Guyana calls for urgent reform of global systems to support int’l peace, security
GECOM briefs 16 political parties ahead of Nomination Day
– DCEO assures "free, fair & transparent" elections on Sept 1 “Desperation will force them together”
Jagdeo on Opposition coalition
…dismisses them as “recycling of failures and novices” …highlights lack of competence in PPP/C’s electoral competitors
Guyana expands livestock production with new land, facilities, breeding success
$4B works advance at Vive La Force Housing Scheme …allottees get 1st look Tuschen Secondary nears completion – as Manickchand pushes for supportive school environment Applicants seeking office jobs but construction industry has numerous vacancies –Finance Minister
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 20 – No closure and Saturday, June 21 – 00:25h - 01:55h
JUNE
GECOM briefs 16 political parties ahead of Nomination Day
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 20 – 11:40h to 13:10h and Saturday, June 21 –12:55h to 14:25h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Rain showers with instances of thunder are expected during the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 11:58h reaching a maximum height of 2.37 metres.
Low Tide: 17:52h reaching a maximum height of 0.84 metre.
– DCEO assures "free, fair & transparent" elections on Sept 1
At least 16 political parties attended a meeting hosted Thursday afternoon by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to address technical issues ahead of Nomination Day next month.
On July 14, parties contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections are expected to submit their Lists of Candidates to the Elections Commission. On that day, the Chief Election Officer will accept submissions at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, from 10:00h to 14:00h.
Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Aneal Giddings explained that the creation of this list is a technical process and the engagement was effective.
“I believe it is very important to understand the aspects regarding the preparation and submission of the various Lists of Candidates. Many parties had a lot of questions. It is a very technical process, so it has a lot of requirements, and I believe this [engagement] was very appropriate. And from the reaction of the persons who attended, I believe that it was a success,” the DCEO told reporters after the meeting.
According to Giddings, both he and the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud, have been in constant contact with the various parties, making themselves available for any queries heading into the upcoming electoral activities.
Prior to next month’s Nomination Day, the political parties contesting the upcoming polls are required to submit their symbols by June 22. These symbols, once approved, will be included on the ballot paper to represent the respective parties.
The DCEO explained that one prevalent issue encountered during this process at previous elections is that some parties might submit similar symbols. However, he noted that this is not grounds for disqualification, adding that the parties are simply informed and would make the change.
Concerns
But while the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the People's National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR-APNU) declared their readiness for the upcoming electoral activities, the Alliance For Change (AFC) as well as some of the smaller and newer parties expressed several concerns.
A common issue raised by these parties is GECOM’s failure to address the Joinder List arrangement.
“The Joinder List option is one of the options that small and newer parties are looking to work together [via], pooling your resources to improve your chances at the election … If this is something that was not addressed in two and a half years, how can it be addressed in a matter of days?” Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Mark Defrance, stated.
The DCEO had committed to raising this issue at GECOM’s next stat-
utory meeting, explaining that this is a matter for the seven-member Elections Commission to address.
Despite the concerns raised by some of the parties, the GECOM official assured that the Elections Secretariat is ready to deliver a free and transparent election.
“From the point of view of the Secretariat [and] where we are with preparation, where we are with the work plan, I am confident that we will deliver a free, transparent and credible elections come September 1,” Giddings declared.
Some of the other parties that attended GECOM’s meeting included We Invest in Nationhood (WIIN), founded by US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed; the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity Party, founded by former PNC member Simona Broomes; and the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC).
Ongoing preparations
In the meantime, the process for submission of symbols by political parties is ongoing, and these are expected to be approved by the Elections Commission by July 1.
Also, in preparing for the upcoming polls, GECOM is conducting a Claims and Objections exercise.
The ‘Claims’ aspect of this exercise is already completed, while the ‘Objections’ leg will be closed off today. This will then make way for the preparation of the Revised List of Electors, which will be
publicised for 21 days before it is finalised and certified.
Moreover, the Secretariat is simultaneously working on other critical matters, such as identifying polling station locations. GECOM has already approved the Returning Officers (ROs) and Supernumerary Returning Officers for appointment.
The timeline for election-related activities after Nomination Day includes: July 15: Notification of any death or withdrawal of candidates and feedback on defects in the lists; July 17: Submission of corrected lists and further withdrawals; July 18: Issuance of approval or rejection notices by GECOM; July 20: Deadline for appeals to the High Court; July 21: Deadline for notifications of joinder of lists; and July 23: Publication (gazetting) of the approved Lists of Candidates.
Meanwhile, the next milestone event will be August 22, when members of the Disciplined Services will be allowed to cast their ballots ahead of the September 1 election day.
Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings
PPP Executive Member Anil Nandlall, SC, arriving for Thursday’s meeting at GECOM
ANUG Chairman Mark Defrance
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Food security
Guyana’s push to transform its livestock industry is yielding tangible results that promise long-term benefits for national food security, rural livelihoods, and economic diversification. The latest figures from the Agriculture Ministry reflect meaningful progress and also a deliberate strategy to reduce food imports, strengthen rural economies, and build a more resilient domestic food system.
At the heart of this effort is the development of 28,000 acres of pasture across Regions Three, Five, Six, and 10. This move to expand grazing land is a strategic response to the long-standing challenge of limited feed and space for livestock rearing. It also signals the Government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a viable, modern industry with broad-based benefits.
Progress in the area of genetic improvement is especially notable. The embryo transfer programme, which has already recorded 238 confirmed pregnancies and 56 calf births, demonstrates the effective application of science and technology in livestock development. Such interventions are crucial for improving herd quality and productivity, ultimately boosting meat and dairy yields.
The Barbados Black Belly Sheep project is another area where results are materialising. With 1,000 sheep introduced and more than 500 lambs born to date, the initiative is expanding meat options while helping local farmers access improved breeding stock. The distribution of animals to over 150 farmers reflects a clear intent to share the benefits across the farming community, ensuring that national growth is inclusive and sustainable.
Similar momentum is evident in the country’s cattle and poultry subsectors. The birth of 245 calves from imported bulls and the production and distribution of over 116,000 Black Giant chickens point to a sector that is both scaling and diversifying. The Black Giants, capable of laying up to 200 eggs annually and providing substantial meat yields, offer a dualpurpose solution for small and medium-scale farmers alike.
Importantly, 144,886 broiler eggs were produced locally for the first time last year, a significant milestone that signals increasing self-reliance in poultry production. By building up local hatchery capacity, Guyana is better positioned to meet growing domestic demand without excessive dependence on imports.
Critical investments are also being made in infrastructure. The acquisition of a modular duck processing facility, capable of handling 500 to 600 birds per day, is a forward-thinking move that aligns production with international food safety and hygiene standards. The addition of new hatchers and incubators supports this effort and adds value to the growing duck industry.
Equally forward-looking is the promotion of tunnelventilated broiler pens. These climate-controlled systems not only improve biosecurity and animal welfare but also enhance productivity and disease management. With 15 pens already established, the foundation is being laid for a more modern and efficient poultry industry.
Taken together, these initiatives point to a livestock sector that is undergoing purposeful and structured development. This is about building the systems, infrastructure, and skills needed for long-term viability and ensuring that agriculture contributes meaningfully to job creation, rural stability, and economic diversification.
In a time of global food insecurity and supply chain disruptions, Guyana’s efforts to strengthen its local food production are both timely and necessary. The livestock industry, long overshadowed by extractive sectors, is proving to be an essential pillar in the broader national development agenda.
These investments deserve continued support and visibility. They offer a model of how targeted public sector leadership, grounded in data and long-term planning, can drive sustainable growth in agriculture.
As global supply chains remain volatile and food prices continue to fluctuate, investing in local production is both prudent and necessary. Guyana’s livestock sector can not only meet local demand but also contribute meaningfully to the regional food market.
PNC and the AFC have self-destructed
Dear Editor, Some years ago, I had predicted the destruction and demise of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and had predicted that the PNC would self-destruct.
In January 2022, I had written, ‘What is of public interest and continues to unfold is the greed for power, which is the trademark of the executives of PNC. Why is it that a party that wants to return to power continues to self-destruct?
It is clear that, like the AFC, the PNC is now rapidly disintegrating to the point of no return, with members abandoning ship at regular intervals… The name ‘PNC’ is itself a stigma, which Guyanese would like not to even repeat, and numerous baptisms have failed to remove it.’ The name AFC now has the same effect – its top executive members are jumping ship in all directions. The names PNC and AFC are akin to the Mummy’s Curse in this country. It is clear that Norton and Hughes are now pretty lonesome. I can hear them singing the refrain, ‘There's no one there to sing to in the end; I'm hummin' on that lonesome song again (Jamey Johnson).’
I had also predicted that the Coalition, which primarily comprised the PNC as the major party, would die a natural death given its penchant for corruption, cronyism and lack of a socio-economic vision for the country. Undoubtedly, the AFC shares the same DNA. I made it clear that they cannot continue to bellow on hills and mountain tops about marginalisation and discrimination since their own supporters and members are faced with the stark truth that the APNU/AFC is the sinister architect and enforcer of marginalising and impoverishing its own flock. This old and obsolete mantra has outlived its usefulness. The old corruption and marginalisation mantra will not work. “Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear’ (Holy Bible).
I can recall that when the PNC’s abhorrent deeds were narrated to young Guyanese, they seldom believed and received those historical facts with varying degrees of scepticism. Fortunately, they had a first-hand view of what the PNC is capable of during the Coalition’s term in office and
their rigging propensities. Now these young people are shouting ‘No More’. Dr Jagdeo put this aptly when he stated that the APNU/AFC ‘attempted to steal a whole country’ in full view of the world.
Today these youths are convinced, and our people do not pledge blind allegiance to any political party; the party they voted for must deliver on its manifesto and promises to the people. The PPP/C has delivered from Day 1, and Guyanese of all walks of life have witnessed this. In fact, the PPP/C delivered beyond its manifesto promises. The PPP/C does not pay scant and flippant regard to this sacred agreement between the Party and the people, unlike the APNU/AFC.
The PPP/C’s socio-economic programmes do not make exceptions for any race, class, or ethnic grouping, and supporters of the PNC and the AFC are not blind to this fact. President Ali’s One Guyana initiative is not mere vacuous rhetoric, but his government is meaningfully pursuing its major objective of uniting the Guyanese people. The magnitude of this massive effort is unprecedent-
ed and is greatly successful. Therefore, the great exodus of the PNC and AFC members and supporters is not accidental but a consequence of the inclusive policies of the PPP/C. Today, when high-profile members of the PNC and AFC are embracing President Ali and the PPP/C in massive numbers, they are attacked and condemned in the vilest of terms. But these con-artists from the APNU and AFC should know that they cannot fool all the people all the time. “Dis time na lang time”, as the song goes. Anyone who wants to entertain the thought of a third party should do a study of the AFC. The PPP/C has the Midas touch, whilst the PNC and the AFC have the opposite of that touch. The masses have witnessed the numerous times when the PNC and then its partner in crime, the AFC, have destroyed this beautiful land. Therefore, the Guyanese people are now saying in unison, ‘The days for partisan politics are over: either deliver or be kicked out.’
Yours sincerely, Haseef
Yusuf
Dear Editor, I wish to kindly ask the Police to look into some bus drivers who should be stripped of their licences to operate public transportation because of gross misconduct and abuse meted out to other bus drivers on the 40 Route. I spoke to other bus drivers who said they have been putting up with their bullying, ‘thiefing’ behaviour going on for years now, and it is about time the police put an end to this daily robbery and culture
of misbehaviour.
The biggest problem at the 40 Route bus park is the ‘hot plate’ issue, where the route’s most aggressive and abusive drivers, who should not be driving public transportation, period, engage in stealing tens and possibly even hundreds of thousands of dollars daily from the mouths of the families of other bus drivers who wait in line. On any given day without police intervention, about 20 or more buses fill their buses on the hot
plate by the hour. Calculated at $1,400 for 14 passengers, this works out to $28,000 being stolen every hour from other bus drivers. In a 10hour day this calculates to $280,000 stolen from other drivers waiting in line. In a week, $1,960,000; in a month, $7,840,000; and $94,080,000 in a year. This is a blatant crime and represents a great loss to law-abiding bus owners and drivers. As I’ve said before, these vagabonds who parade as
bus drivers stealing from and abusing other bus drivers should have their licences to operate public transportation forfeited permanently. The police traffic department should have records to advise them and consider permanently stationing traffic wardens in the 40 Route bus park and maybe other zones which have significant complaints among their drivers.
Yours faithfully, Jermaine Harding
A drone light show in Chongqing, China, sets a new Guinness World Record for the largest aerial image formed by 11,787 drones (Photograph: Li Hongbo/VCG/Getty Images)
“Desperation will force them together” – Jagdeo on Opposition coalition
… dismisses them as “recycling of failures and novices” … highlights lack of competence in PPP/C’s electoral competitors
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has derided the ongoing coalition talks among opposition forces, arguing that the discussions are driven by desperation and political self-preservation, not vision or competence.
In a searing critique, Jagdeo noted that the parties currently attempting to regroup, mainly the People's National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC), who he noted were part of a “failed experiment” in governance between 2015 and 2020.
With this in mind, the General Secretary strongly criticised the coalition for its track record of economic mismanagement, divisive politics, and efforts to erode democratic institutions, warning that a return to power could see a dangerous repeat of these failures.
“So, what we've seen now with the recent configurations in the last couple of days is a recycling of the same people within the same coalition… So, they are not making any difference. Any configuration that they come up with – and desperation might force them together –they will give up on principles. They would give up on their own position, which says Norton can be the candidate because he'd lose the elections. But AFC will go into the coalition if offered
a space, knowing that they themselves said that,” Jagdeo said.
On Wednesday, it was announced that members of the AFC – Juretha Fernandes, Sherod Duncan and Ricky Ramsaroop have signed onto the list of candidates for APNU to contest the upcoming elections, with Fernandes tipped to be the prime ministerial candidate.
In offering comments on the swap, Jagdeo explained that many former APNUAFC supporters have also shifted allegiance to the PPP/C, citing the party’s development record and people-centred governance.
“It's the same group. They're just going to create a new party, switching sides every day within their own camp. And their camp is a camp that delivered five years of disastrous performance for the country.”
“So, they can put together any configuration. We are ready in the PPP, not because of arrogance, but because people have seen them and discarded them,” he added.
Lack of competence
In addition to lacking any plans of substance for the development of the country and its people, the General Secretary has pointed out that the so-far named competitors for the upcoming elections also lack competence and experience in governance and leadership.
Highlighting the
knowledge of the PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, as not only President but also a Minister of Government pre-2015, Jagdeo recalled, “He had several portfolios: housing – in a period when we had one of the largest expansions in the housing programme, he was Minister of Tourism at the same time and the water sector.”
By extension, Ali was involved in Cabinet meetings where he contributed to discussions on various topics and represented Guyana on several international platforms during his presidency, Jagdeo said.
He also spoke of the portfolio of Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who was the head of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and commanded the respect of his ranks. Jagdeo also reflected on Phillips’s tenure as Prime Minister and the critical sectors he oversees, including ICT.
In comparison, the PPP General Secretary referred to Leader of the PNCled APNU Presidential Candidate Aubrey Norton as “a little league”, who operated around the periphery of the party structure both in government and at the party level. During his party’s tenure in Government (20152020), Norton served as an Advisor to the Government.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes, who is touted to be his running mate, was the Confidential Secretary
to the former Prime Minister up to 2020.
“No management skill… that’s the leadership of their ticket now, two persons who are charlatans, novices, who have never really negotiated a loan; they have never engaged in politics even at a major level,” Jagdeo said, adding that even the APNU’s support team also has no years of technical experience.
He noted that the AFC leader and potential presidential candidate Nigel Hughes is now pleading for a space with the APNU coalition.
Switching his attention to former PNC Member Amanza Walton-Desir, who this week resigned from the PNC to form a new party – Forward Guyana – worked at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) from 2013 to 2020 before becoming a Member of Parliament.
Jagdeo also reminded of her track record of racist utterances.
Meanwhile, other small parties, including the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC), were not spared in the assessment.
Jagdeo noted that the leader of ANUG, Mark Defrance, failed to garner more than three votes in his hometown of New Amsterdam during the last Local Government Elections while VPAC’s Dorwain Bess was made famous by a fuel scandal under the last APNU/AFC
Government.
With regard to United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who launched his political party called “We Invest in Nationhood”, Jagdeo said the only competency he possesses is in “smuggling gold and submitting false invoices”.
He was referring to US sanctions instituted against Mohamed for gold smuggling and the ongoing issue between the businessman and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) surrounding evaded taxes.
“You just contrast that and think about entrusting the future of Guyana at this time in the hands of that
group versus an Irfaan AliMark Phillips ticket supported by a party that has kept his promise to the people,” Jagdeo emphasised. The PPP General Secretary also highlighted that his party has outlined several plans for its second term in office, while the other parties have not even decided on their platforms.
Political parties desirous of contesting the September 1 General and Regional Elections are required to submit their names and symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on June 22, followed by their List of Candidates on July 14.
00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Cartoons
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08:00 HGTV
09:00 Stop Suffering
10:00 Food Network
12:00 News Break
12:05 Indian Movie - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
15:00 How I Met Your Mother S1 E15
16:00 Indian Soaps
17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Aljazeera
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20:30 Stand-up Comedy
21:00 Movie - Red Notice (2021)
23:00 Heartland S1 E9
FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2025
PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo
L-R: Azruddin Mohamed, Aubrey Norton, Nigel Hughes, Amanza Walton-Desir and Juretha Fernandes
◄ Page Foundation
Multiplying fractions and whole numbers
To multiply a fraction and a whole number, you need to multiply the numerator by the whole number.
Then place the product over the denominator.
Example:
Multiply 7 x
Step 1: Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 7 x 1 = 7
Step 2: Place the product over the denominator of the original fraction:
Step 3: The product will often be an improper fraction. You may need to change it to a mixed number.
Exercises: Multiply
By Walt
Continued To be continued
The little one sleeps in its cradle, I lift the gauze and look a long time, and silently brush away flies with my hand. The youngster and the red-faced girl turn aside up the bushy hill, I peeringly view them from the top. The suicide sprawls on the bloody floor of the bedroom, I witness the corpse with its dabbled hair, I note where the pistol has fallen. The blab of the pave, tires of carts, sluff of boot-soles, talk of the promenaders, The heavy omnibus, the driver with his interrogating thumb, the clank of the shod horses on the granite floor, The snow-sleighs, clinking, shouted jokes, pelts of snow-balls, The hurrahs for popular favorites, the fury of rous’d mobs, The flap of the curtain’d litter, a sick man inside borne to the hospital, The meeting of enemies, the sudden oath, the blows and fall, The excited crowd, the policeman with his star quickly working his passage to the centre of the crowd, The impassive stones that receive and return so many echoes, What groans of over-fed or halfstarv’d who fall sunstruck or in fits, What exclamations of women taken suddenly who hurry home and give birth to babes, What living and buried speech is always vibrating here, what howls restrain’d by decorum, Arrests of criminals, slights, adulterous offers made, acceptances, rejections with convex lips, I mind them or the show or resonance of them—I come and I depart.
AFC went "berserk" in talks, blames party for coalition collapse – PNC Executive
Senior Executive of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the largest party in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) grouping – Sherwood Lowe has blamed the Alliance For Change (AFC) for causing the breakdown of negotiations between the two sides ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1, 2025.
In a brief comment to the media via a WhatsApp group on Thursday, Lowe, who is an advisor to the PNCR-APNU Opposition party, believes that the AFC should have stuck to its initial proposal several months ago for a governance sharing of 35-65 with APNU, as well as for APNU to name the Representative of the List (ROL), among other positions.
“Had the AFC stuck close to its very first proposal… instead of abruptly going berserk (sorry) during the talks (by, for example, ask-
ing for a 60% stake in the coalition and changing its mind on who should name the ROL), an accord could have been signed months ago,” the PNCR Executive stated.
Last month, the AFC proposed a ratio of 6535 – 65 per cent for itself – to be applied across the board, which was rejected by APNU, led by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. APNU had then countered with a 70-30 proposal.
"Last-ditch efforts" flail In what is being described as a last-ditch effort to salvage the tenuous coalition talks, the Nigel Hughes-led AFC on Monday submitted a revised proposal to APNU through an intermediary.
This new proposal included a 65-35 ratio to be applied across the board, that is, 65 per cent for APNU and 35 per cent for AFC. It also proposed that it select the prime ministerial candidate while APNU picks the pres-
idential candidate, for the ROL to be an independent nominee acceptable to both parties, and for the Speaker of the National Assembly to be nominated by the AFC but acceptable to APNU.
“We were informed [June] 18th that this proposal was rejected. On this occasion, APNU decided that they must also name the AFC’s PM candidate, contrary to the established protocol of the negotiations. This demand is totally unacceptable to the AFC,” the party said in a statement on Wednesday night.
According to the AFC, “This last proposal gave APNU all they have been asking for to agree a coalition and the AFC decided at all costs it would play its role in response to public feedback and the nation’s desire for a unified opposition. It is now clear the APNU was and is not interested in a coalition.”
However, Lowe sought to clarify on Thursday morn-
ing that the AFC statement is misleading, noting that APNU never proposed that it must name the PM candidate for the coalition.
“What APNU communicated to the AFC, through the intermediary, was that, given the lateness of the hour, it had taken a decision to select its own PM candidate. Let me stress: to select APNU's PM candidate, not the coalition's PM candidate. Given this development, the intermediary was asked to ascertain from the AFC whether talks were still possible and on what basis,” the PNCR Executive stated.
AFC blindsided
Meanwhile, it was reported on Wednesday that the AFC Member of Parliament, Juretha Fernandes, has been named the APNU-PNCR Prime Ministerial Candidate to run alongside Norton for the upcoming elections— a move that blindsided the
AFC.
In fact, Hughes told Guyana Times Wednesday evening that he was only made aware of the situation when it was reported in the media earlier that day.
In a subsequent statement, the AFC said it had confirmed “independently” that Fernandes, along with two other MPs, Sherod Duncan and Deonarine (Ricky) Ramsaroop, had formally aligned themselves with APNU and have committed to being candidates on that party's Lists of Candidates for the upcoming polls.
Guided by its constitution and principles, the AFC said it considers that the three former Executive members have chosen to forfeit their membership of the party and therefore formally cancelled their membership.
But in a social media post, Duncan claimed that he had no intention of resigning from the AFC.
“As I was saying, my membership in the AFC is paid up until 2029, and I do not intend to determine my membership before that time. I have been working with our Coalition partners for the last ten years, and I intend to further lend my energies to the APNU Coalition to win the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections,” he said on his Facebook page. Meanwhile, the AFC leader has admitted that a coalition between the two parties is looking increasingly unlikely as he hints at the party contesting the elections independently.
“I think, effectively, any prospects of movement in a positive direction [towards a coalition] are marginal at best… [But] the AFC is an independent party and had indicated that we were running as an independent party when elections were held… and before that,” Hughes told this publication.
PNCR Executive Sherwood Lowe
AFC Leader Nigel Hughes
PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton
Fire contained at beauty salon
Quick action by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) averted a major disaster on Thursday after a fire broke out at a mixeduse building on East Street, Georgetown, which houses the By Victoria Beauty Salon.
The fire, which originated on the upper floor of the building, was swiftly contained and
extinguished by GFS personnel. The building is owned by Nitin Mehra and serves both commercial and residential functions. The upper floor operates as a salon and spa, while the middle floor is occupied by Chinese nationals as a private residence.
In a statement, the GFS commended its team for their
rapid and coordinated response. “Thanks to the rapid and effective response of the GFS, firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the blaze, which was primarily concentrated on the upper floor of the structure. Their swift actions prevented the fire from spreading further and minimised potential dam-
age to the lower levels of the building,” the statement noted.
No injuries have been reported. The extent of the damage to the salon and spa is yet to be fully assessed.
An official investigation is currently underway to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Playing…
…Musical (political) Chairs
Your Eyewitness’ head is swinging with all the arrivals and departures among the political parties in our old Mudland. It’s like they decided to play musical chairs before the Sept 1 General Elections!! You know… that old party game where there’s one less chair than the number of players, and when the music stops suddenly, you gotta sit immediately!! The person without the chair is out – and with another chair taken out, the game goes on. Now, while this sounds simple, it does make you learn to adapt to changing situations, assess your options, and make strategic choices in a limited time frame!! Not bad lessons for politics, eh??
In our political musical chairs, the party leader is the director of the music and ensures there’s as much movement as possible! He strategically stops the music to help his favourites – the sycophants, obviously!! –have chairs to sit on!! So, we saw PNC leader Norton playing some pretty racially charged music – written by his new bestie Hinds from the WPA – leaving some top PNC Indians – Chandan and Seeram – bereft of seats!! They moseyed over to the PPP, which had long declared they had a place for EVERYBODY!! Even those who never used to come to their dances!! They weren’t gonna be playing no musical chairs but the conga line dance – where everybody simply joins the line and shuffles to the music!!
Most recently, we saw some variations of the musical chairs theme when PNC’s Norton decided he was gonna pull the rug – chair??! – out from under AFC’s leader Hughes' big behind!! The latter had repeatedly dissed him (Norton) by insisting that he (Hughes) should be calling the tune for the Opposition since he (Norton) just didn’t have that pizzazz to compete with the PPP’s Conga Line!! In what has to be the unkindest cut to Hughes, Norton then inveigled one of his AFC’s younger attractive faces – Juretha Fernandes – to join his dance – with a guaranteed Chair!!
He picked her to be his Prime Ministerial candidate and offered his rationale: “We also believe the fact that she is of indigenous origin gives diversity to the slate. We think that she has the intellectual competence, and we would find that she’s also a woman.” That’s right – he pointed out that not so incidentally “we would find that she’s also a woman”!! And what a candidate – from the interior with brains and beauty!! Take that, Nigel Hughes – with your middle-class rotund tones and tunes!!
However, the choice of Juretha as PM Candidate left no chair for the PNC’s entitled, middle-class wannabe leader – the hyphenated Walton-Desir, who “we would find that she’s also a woman”!! Thoroughly miffed, she shashayed out to form her own party!!
Whither Ganesh??
…with traffic woes
Back last February, VP Jagdeo was forced to tell it as it is with pressures faced by citizens trying to get from Point A to Point B on the East Bank Public Road to go about their business. Part of the said business being to travel to and from the CJIA – our major connection with the rest of the world we’re wooing to facilitate our oil-fuelled development!!
Exploded Jagdeo, exasperatedly, “I came back yesterday from abroad, and from the time I came down the East Bank Road, I posted in the Cabinet group my dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Public Works. They’re not managing these sites well; there are people all around. They don’t think about the 100,000 people who are discomforted every day there; they just go and dig things up everywhere!!”
In the following three months, things got immeasurably worse. And it was only a couple of days ago alternative pathways for cars and passenger vehicles were identified!!
Where was the preplanning to handle contingencies??
…vs planning
To ensure we don’t have a repetition of the PNC’s 2020 election games, the authorities continued a phased rollout of a national internal security training programme at the GPF Officers Training Centre. Old dogs gotta suck eggs!!
The damaged By Victoria Beauty Salon
Guyana exceeds targets, achieves 88% of food production goal 1 year early
Guyana surpassed regional expectations for agricultural production, achieving approximately 88% of production targets one year ahead of schedule.
The evidence for this came in a detailed press release from the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday, describing it as an opportunity to “provide clarity and context on the policy measures, data trends, and production outcomes” related to Guyana’s impressive achievement.
Referencing two articles that pointed to Caricom’s goal of reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030, the min-
istry’s advisor on Caricom agri-food systems, Richard Blair, pointed out that Guyana has been massively surpassing its targets.
“Guyana’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, exceeding the region’s average achievement rates,” Blair posited.
A Department of Information (DPI) news report stated that in 2022, Guyana produced nearly 899,000 metric tonnes of food. By the end of 2024, that number climbed to 1.26 metric tonnes.
This increase was supported by the skyrocketing of rice yield, brackish water shrimp (which recorded a more than 1000% in -
crease), corn and soya, and prawns.
The advisor attributed these achievements to tangible and measurable policy decisions that catapulted the food production outputs between 2024 and 2025.
“These outcomes did not occur by chance but were primarily driven by robust
supply-side interventions, underpinned by a comprehensive strategy [to improve] infrastructure, technology, and policy reform,” Blair explained. He also pointed out that this information can be found in several publicly available documents.
One such example is the Bank of Guyana’s
Statistical Bulletins and Quarterly Reports.
Underscoring that there is much more to be achieved by Guyana and the region by 2030, Blair said that the challenges being faced are global in nature. He said that there has been a focus shift from nominal reductions in food import bills to the measuring of more inflation-adjusted import reductions.
In other words, although the quantity of goods imported may not have increased, factors such as the Russia-Ukraine war and disruptions in global food supply chains have caused the prices for regularly imported goods to increase, giving the appearance that progress has not been made.
“The extension of Caricom’s 25% by 2025 initiative to 2030 reflects a strategic shift towards achieving concrete production targets rather than relying on reductions in the nominal food import bill,” the advisor explained.
GDF takes dental care to New River Triangle
As part of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) ongoing health initiative, dental professionals Dr Oral McAllister and Dr Rodwin Brandon successfully conducted a dental outreach mission in the New River Triangle.
The initiative catered to both military personnel stationed at Base Camp Jaguar and the civilian population of Cashew Island, a remote village located in the southernmost region of Guyana.
According to their so-
cial media page, the outreach was conducted entirely in an outdoor setting, an approach that underscores the adaptability and mission-readiness of the Force.
Operating without a traditional clinical environment, the dental team worked diligently to deliver quality care in difficult terrain, reinforcing the GDF’s commitment to flexibility, innovation, and people-centred service.
This outreach, it noted, highlighted the Force’s ability to respond effectively in
challenging environments while remaining focused on wellness.
In addition to addressing urgent dental needs, the outreach also provided essential education on oral hygiene and preventative care, supporting longer-term health in one of the country’s most remote communities.
The initiative stands as a strong example of the GDF’s commitment to national development and the well-being of both its ranks and the wider population.
GDF dental professionals at the New River Triangle outreach
GuySuCo land to be used for hemp production – Jagdeo
...Skeldon & Region 10 farmers to benefit
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has announced that farmers in Skeldon and Region 10 are expected to benefit from a hemp production initiative, which will utilise Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)owned lands as part of a wider national plan for agricultural and economic diversification.
Speaking during his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo emphasised that 2,000 acres of the 26,000 acres at the Skeldon estate will be allocated to displaced or current sugar workers, each receiving two acres to cultivate hemp, primarily for export markets, including cigar production.
This initiative falls within the legal framework already established, with production restricted to Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice).
“So, we are thinking about taking 2,000 of the 26,000 acres at Skeldon, and giving it to 1,000 farmers – 2 acres each – that were laid off by GuySuCo – or might be sugar workers now – to produce the hemp, then the factory can buy it from them. Similarly, in Region 10, we want to do that on a small scale. We have identified another 35,000 acres of land that are privately owned or owned by two co-ops in the same Skeldon area. Combined, that’s a large amount. That’s over 60,000 acres of land we’re talking about – to bring into
an agro-industrial complex,” the Vice President stated.
Hemp is often confused with marijuana, but it is crucial to understand the distinction between the two. Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of the cannabis plant, which includes over 100 to 156 different strains. The two most recognised strains are hemp and marijuana.
With around 100,000 to 150,000 potential use cases and products, hemp can be a versatile addition to Guyana’s economy.
Guyana’s National Assembly approved the Industrial Hemp Bill back in August 2022, paving the way for the legalisation of industrial hemp in the country. Since then, Cabinet has already approved the members of the Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority, and the body will be formally established soon.
National plan for agricultural and economic diversification
According to the Vice President, the national plan for agricultural and economic diversification extends beyond hemp.
“In Region 5, we’re now building the canals there that will open up another 55,000 acres of land. 5,000 in Essequibo. All of this is part of our plan for agricultural diversification. More land to small people for livestock and all of the crops we’re talking about. In the hinterland regions, we’re supplying tens of thousands
of planting material now. We have the tissue culture lab for the cocoa and the coffee and the turmeric and the ginger, which will come from these areas”.
“We’re spending about six billion dollars now at the back of Foulis developing an industrial estate that would employ 4,000 people. And it’s already near completed and a road, a massive road, heavy-duty road, is being built to that site for factories there. So, people that were displaced from the sugar industry...and along the East Coast, they can find work there,” he added.
Jagdeo stressed that the government’s agricultural transformation is also about income and skills diversification, moving away from traditional, labour-intensive farming toward a technologically advanced and export-oriented sector.
“We’re not just diversifying crops. We’re diversifying incomes and skills to create more stable, resilient communities,” he noted.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
UNCAPPED MARKETPLACE
Uncapped 2025 returns to the Guyana National Stadium on June 21 and 22, bringing together entrepreneurs, agro-processors, is proud to highlight a few of the key sponsors helping to make this year’s event a success. In this special feature, we shine
Who We Are
Since 1972, Silvie’s (originally Silvie’s Variety Store) has grown into Silvie’s Industrial Solutions — a trusted, ISOcertified Guyanese brand providing industrial, electrical, and hardware equipment across key sectors like gold mining, construction, manufacturing, and so much .
We operate from Hadfield Street and High Street in Georgetown, with a new location on the Essequibo Coast, and a team of over 30 trained “problem solvers” focused on aftersales service, repairs, and warranty support. Our offerings include:
● Free delivery in Georgetown
● 3-month layaway plan
● 3-month warranty
Now Online: SilviesOnline.com
In our ongoing mission to serve you better, we’ve launched our e-commerce website — SilviesOnline.com — a true game changer for industrial shopping in Guyana.
From the coast to the interior, customers can now browse, compare, and reserve equipment anytime, anywhere. It’s industrial supply — on your schedule.
What We’re Bringing to GMSA Uncapped Expo – June 21 & 22
See our top food-processing machines in action, including:
● Garlic Peeler – fast peeling, mess-free
● Chicken Plucker – fast, hands-free feather removal
● Multipurpose Mill – for grains, rice, beans & more
● Snow Cone Machines, Juicers, Meat Slicers, Roasters, Mixers, and more!
Spin-the-Wheel Game & Giveaways
Join the fun at our booth — spin the wheel and win Silvie’s
merch, tools, or enter to win one of three powerful machines in our live giveaway!
Expert Guidance & Expo-Exclusive Deals
Talk directly with our trained specialists to find the right equipment for your needs.
Why Visit Us?
● Partake in fun, exciting games, learn about new products walk away with cool Silvie’s merch
● Support a long-standing, community-driven Guyanese brand
● Discover how SilviesOnline.com is transforming access to industrial and food-processing equipment
Visit Silvie’s at the GMSA Uncapped Expo on June 21–22, 2025, at Guyana National Stadium.
Demerara Bank Brings Innovation and Heart to Uncapped Marketplace 2025 – Here’s Why You’ll Want to Stop By
Demerara Bank Limited announced its participation in the Uncapped Marketplace Expo 2025, to be held on June 21–22. The National Stadium, Providence will come alive with the buzz of possibility, innovation, and local pride. This year, there’s one booth you won’t want to miss: Demerara Bank. Whether you’re a young entrepreneur looking to scale, a parent dreaming of your own home, or someone simply wanting more from your financial institution, Demerara Bank is showing up for you.
More Than a Booth –It’s a Connection
Demerara Bank’s presence at Uncapped Marketplace is not just about showcasing products – it’s about meeting people where they are, having real conversations, and helping shape brighter financial futures for every Guyanese. This is your chance to speak face-to-face with experts, explore practical tools to manage your money better, and discover just how personal, modern banking can be.
“Our goal is to make banking more accessible, more personalized, and more responsive to how people live and work today,” says the representative from the Bank’s Marketing Department. “Uncapped Marketplace allows us to engage directly with the public, answer questions, and build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the event.”
Here’s What Awaits You at the Demerara Bank’s Booth:
● Interactive Product Stations – Get real-time, one-on-one consultations tailored to your needs
● Live Demonstrations – See their user-friendly online banking tools in action
● Genuine Conversations – Whether you’re planning for a vehicle, starting a business, or just looking to save smarter, the bank’s team is ready to help
● On-the-Spot Applications – Walk with your documents and apply for accounts, loans, and credit cards. Visit to learn more about their services and requirements before you arrive.
Guyana is changing fast. New industries are rising, and opportunities are multiplying. But to grow confidently, people need partners who understand where they’ve come from— and where they’re going. That’s where Demerara Bank steps in. With a proud legacy and a future-focused mindset, the Bank is doubling down on its commitment to small businesses, families, and dreamers across the country.
This isn’t just a booth. It’s a place to be seen, to be heard, and to be empowered.
Make the Time – Make the Visit
You’ve got plans. We get it. But if there’s one thing worth setting aside an hour or two for, it’s an experience that could
truly change your outlook and your future. Bring your questions, bring your ideas, bring your curiosity. Whether you're already banking with us or just exploring your options, you’re warmly invited to stop by.
Because when it comes to your future, “we’re not just nearby. We’re right there with you! Grow with us”.
Guyana School of Agriculture
GSA to Participate in UNCAPPED 2025
Institution to Showcase Products and Advance Agricultural Education
The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) is pleased to announce our participation in UNCAPPED 2025, taking place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, at the National Stadium, Providence. GSA welcomes all visitors to stop by and engage with our team.
UNCAPPED, an initiative of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), is a national expo that promotes local production, celebrates innovation, and connects Guyanese producers with consumers. It brings to -
gether businesses, entrepreneurs, and institutions to showcase a wide range of locally made goods and services.
At this year’s event, GSA will proudly showcase an assortment of agro-processed products created by our students and staff. These include a variety of sauces, seasonings, flours, baked goods, and other items developed through our practical training programmes. All products reflect the school’s strong commitment to agricultural innovation, sustainability, and industry readiness.
Visitors to our booth will also have the opportunity to learn more about our academic programmes. GSA current -
Pravini Ramotar - Chief ManagerMarketing , Customer service &PR ( Demerara Bank)
MARKETPLACE 2025
agro-processors, and businesses in a dynamic showcase of local talent and innovation. As the excitement builds, our newspaper shine a spotlight on the organizations that continue to invest in Guyana’s growth and support the vision of Uncapped.
ly offers Certificates and Diplomas in Agriculture, Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, Agro-Processing and Forestry Studies. Applications are open for the September 2025 intake, and our team will be available to guide interested persons through the application process.
Since our establishment in 1963, the Guyana School of Agriculture has remained dedicated to building a strong, skilled agricultural workforce. We continue to play a vital role in advancing national development through education, training, and the promotion of value-added agriculture.
We invite all attendees of UNCAPPED 2025 to visit the GSA booth. Come meet our team, experience the quality of our student work, and explore the exciting possibilities a career in agriculture can offer.
Come and experience what we grow, what we teach, and what we stand for.
Grow with us. Learn with us. Lead with us.
Lily's Organic Uncapped:
The Story Behind Lily’s Organic Lily’s Organic was founded by Savina Sukhnandan, a proud mother of two, an entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. The idea for the brand was born from
a personal journey of healing. After giving birth, Savina experienced major changes in her skin that affected her confidence. She tried countless over-thecounter and prescription products—none of which worked. One product even damaged the top layer of her skin.
One day, she discovered a YouTube video on how to make natural carrot oil and turmeric body scrub. She gave it a try, and within weeks, her skin began to transform. Inspired by the results, she shared her homemade remedies with friends and family, who also saw amazing improvements. When her children…
Lily's Organic : Locations
Lily's Organic - New Road Essequibo Coast. Sony's Cosmetics- Cotton field Essequibo Coast
The GlamourPlus Store - Akbar Mall CI West Coast Demerara Babecave - Ducan Street Georgetown
Geary Reid is proving that passion, discipline, and a commitment to lifelong learning can turn even the boldest dreams into reality. A part-time author with a full-time impact, Reid made headlines when he wrote 7 non-fiction books in just 28 days and an astonishing 44 books in a single year, a feat that stunned many in the publishing world.
While most aspiring authors struggle to finish one manuscript, Reid's productivity and precision have positioned him as a standout voice in the global literary space. His works, largely focused on personal development, business, leadership, the Christian faith, and education, aim to equip readers with tools for practical growth and empowerment.
But Reid’s success hasn’t just been measured in words and pages. His accomplishments have earned him multiple global and international literary awards, solidifying his place among elite contemporary non-fiction writers. According to a recent EIN Presswire release, his growing collection of accolades underscores both the quality and impact of his writing on an international scale.
Beyond the bookshelves, Geary Reid is the founder of Reid n Learn, an educational and publishing brand that supports aspiring authors, young readers, and lifelong learners. Through this platform, Reid continues to advocate for self-education, literacy, and entrepreneurship.
This Spring season has already delivered even more recognition and awards for Reid, as noted in a recent press feature. With momentum on his side, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Attendees of the Uncapped Marketplace will have the opportunity to meet Reid in person, explore his growing collection of books, and learn more about his journey. Whether you’re an aspiring author, a passionate reader, or simply someone in search of inspiration, Geary Reid’s story is one worth discovering.
Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited is set to continue its impactful legacy at Uncapped 2025, maintaining its proud tradition of support since the event's inception. As one of Guyana's oldest and most trusted financial institutions, serving the nation since 1836, Republic 8ank has consistently aligned itself with initiatives that celebrate innovation, community growth, and national development.
This year, the Bank's involvement is strengthened by its flagship promotion: the "Make Everything Happen" campaign, running through September 27, 2025. Designed to support the evolving needs of Guyanese citizens, the campaign offers financial solufions across a wide range of life goals, from education and vehicle ownership to home buying and business expansion.
Through the "Make Everything Happen" campaign, Republic Bank is offering:
● Personal Loans for back-to-school shopping, technology upgrades, or consolidating expenses.
● Vehicle Loans under the popular "Deal on Wheels" offer, featuring competitive rates and low or zero equity for qualified customers.
● Home Ownership Support with reduced down payments and attractive mortgage financing.
● Business Financing, including startup and expansion loans tailored to small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs).
A standout element of Republic Bank's business support is the free Republic SME Toolkit, a digital platform offering a wealth of resources for small business owners. First introduced in Guyana in 2010 through a partnership with the IFC and IBM, the Toolkit includes business planning templates, financial calculators, mar-
keting guides, HR advice, and legal rips. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, the Republic SME Toolkit serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs navigating today's competitive landscape.
At Uncapped 2025, business owners will have the opportunity to engage with Republic Bank's Sales Officers, who will guide them through financing options and the use of tools like the SME Toolkit to help grow their ventures. This interaction is part of the Bank's broader commitment to supporting Mini Micro, Micro Enterprises and the Small and Medium Enterprise businesses. EKpect insightful conversations, hnancial empowerment, and an opportunity to explore how Republic Bank can help you "Make Everything Happen" at Uncapped Marketplace 2025!
Sterling Products Limited: Pioneering excellence and flavour at UncappeD Marketplace 2025
– Celebrating decades of innovation, local partnerships, and a commitment to Guyana’s growth
As the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) prepares to host its much-anticipated UncappeD Marketplace 2025 on June 21st and 22nd at the National Stadium, one name resonates with a reputation of excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication to Guyana’s development: Sterling Products Limited. For over 70 years, Sterling Products has been more than just a manufacturer—it has been a trusted partner in the lives of Guyanese families, an engine of growth for local industries, and a symbol of progess in the manufacturing sector. This year, as the company takes centre stage at UncappeD Marketplace 2025, it invites attendees to explore its rich history, groundbreaking products, and its vision for a flavourful, sustainable future.
Founded in 1954, Sterling Products Limited began with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide high-quality, essential products that meet the everyday needs of Guyanese households. From its early days producing staples like margarine, lard, ghee, and cleaning products, the company quickly earned a reputation for reliability and excellence. Over the decades, Sterling has evolved, embracing innovation while staying true to its roots. Its iconic Golden Cream Margarine, a household name for generations, remains a symbol of the company’s commitment to quality. However, Sterling’s innovation didn’t stop there. The introduction of Golden Cream Liquid Margarine, a versatile, modern solution for today’s kitchens, demonstrates the company’s ability to adapt to changing consumer demands while maintaining its hallmark standards. Sterling Products’ success goes beyond what it produces; it’s deeply rooted in the power of collaboration. The company’s recent partnership with Chico, a beloved Guyanese brand, has resulted in an exciting range of ice cream products that promise to delight taste buds across the nation. This collaboration is a testament to Sterling’s strategic vision and its ability to forge partnerships that bring joy and innovation to the market.
Sterling’s impact extends beyond the kitchen. The company is a proud advocate for Guyana’s agro-processing industry, as seen in its Hydr8 Coconut Water—a pure, additive-free beverage sourced from locally grown coconuts. By supporting local farmers and promoting natural, healthy products, Sterling is actively contributing to the economy while playing a vital role in securing Guyana’s food future. Another cornerstone of Sterling’s operations is its partnership with Amaya Milk Company. As the exclusive distributor of Amaya’s fresh, high-quality milk and dairy products, Sterling plays a crucial role in addressing a long-standing need in the market. This collaboration is a shining example of how Sterling Products Limited is more than a manufacturer; it’s a key player in strengthening local industries and providing essential goods to Guyanese households.
At this year’s UncappeD Marketplace Sterling Products Limited continues to innovate and expand, its mission remains clear: to enrich the lives of Guyanese through quality products, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to national development.
Geary Reid
VP defends diversification push
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has pushed back against recent criticisms targeting President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s remarks at the Enmore Martyrs, stressing that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is key to the government’s broader plan to transform agriculture, expand rural employment, and achieve food security.
Speaking during Thursday’s press conference at Freedom House, Jagdeo stressed that the administration’s focus is not limited to rice but includes wide-scale crop diversification as a path to income and national income diversification.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) news report stated that currently, several crops are now being produced or expanded for both local consumption and export: roses, turmeric, nutmeg, coffee, cocoa, shrimp and other cassava, among other crops. These efforts, according to the VP, are already yielding measurable results,
with 55 million pounds of cassava cultivated last year.
“In every one of these sectors, we are going to see more people employed [and] you’re going to see more people earning income from these sectors,” he informed reporters.
He elucidated further, noting that this vision extends to using over 60,000 acres, including 35,000 acres of private and corporate-owned land in the Skeldon/ Crabwood Creek area, for an agro-industrial complex, with a new road being constructed from Crabwood Creek to Orealla to facilitate this.
Another 55,000 acres will be opened up in Region Five through similar irrigation projects, which the vice president said are designed to empower small farmers and expand both crop and livestock farming.
“That’s what the president was talking about: GuySuCo fitting into this master plan that will take some of the labour…currently employed in GuySuCo and create new
Currently, several crops are now being produced or cultivation expanded for both local consumption and export
opportunities for them; that was the idea,” the vice president underscored.
For example, a $6 billion investment is underway to build an industrial estate at the former Enmore factory site, which will employ 4,000 people. Jagdeo noted that a major road is being built to support this industrial zone. These projects will in turn provide alternative employment for former sugar workers and others in surrounding areas, in line with the nation-
full self-sufficiency in food production, producing all the food it needs across seven identified food categories.
However, according to Jagdeo, changing consumer preferences, spurred by increased wealth and rising disposable income, are driving demand for imported food. But the government is responding by increasing domestic food production.
He posited that to increase production, modern farming techniques are required, with specific emphasis on mechanisation, equipment management and scientific research.
al diversification agenda.
And, “What we have to train our young people in would be very different now… it’s not a traditional type of agriculture, marketing and product… that’s what we were talking about. But…oh, they’re complaining about the president’s speech at GuySuCo without understanding the context.”
According to a recent study published in Nature Food, Guyana is the only nation among 186 that achieves
To support this, the vice president announced that the Government is planning to develop innovation hubs and diversification support centres in every region to train youth and support agro-processing.
“And then overall, we’d have the development bank to make zero-interest loans to those ventures. So, it supports diversification fully,” VP Jagdeo explained.
Beyond training and
loans, he noted that the government is co-investing in agricultural ventures, including building factory shells and production units for youthled businesses.
During the 77th Commemoration of the Enmore Martyrs, President Ali announced that by leveraging the existing human capital and technology at GuySuCo, Government is examining plans to strategically reimagine the mandate of the corporation to become a hub of rural development.
He had posited that GuySuCo could support the production of other crops like rice, corn and cassava, diversifying production to boost income using its large acres of arable lands and modern infrastructure.
In the 2025 budget, GuySuCo was allocated a whopping $13.3 billion to ensure that work is expanded on an additional 3,000 hectares of land. The sum also covers the construction of more than 17 kilometres of all-weather access roads.
$4B works advance at Vive La Force Housing Scheme
…allottees get 1st look
Allottees of Block ‘a’ and Block ‘b’ in the Vive La Force Housing Scheme, part of the expanding Wales Housing Development in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), were briefed on the progress of infrastructure works through a site visit and virtual tour led by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal.
The two blocks, which span more than 300 acres combined, are set to accommodate a total of 1721 residential lots–978 in Block ‘a’ and 743 in Block ‘b’. Infrastructure works commenced in mid-April 2025 and are scheduled for completion by November 14, 2025.
Once completed, allottees will be able to identi-
fy their individual lots and begin constructing their homes, marking a significant milestone in the development of the area.
Croal reported that infrastructure development is progressing steadily. Block ‘a’ has reached 45 per cent completion with $2.1 billion allocated to its development, while Block ‘b’ is at 50 per cent completion, supported by a $1.9 billion investment. Works include road construction, drainage and water networks, and culvert installation.
He also emphasised the shift in government policy that now allows for immediate rollout of infrastructure following land allocation, a departure from previous years when allottees often had to wait for the next national budget cycle before
any work could begin.
“Anybody who has been allocated in 2025 will wait no longer than one year. They will see their land in this very year,” the Minister assured. He further noted that by the end of 2025, Region Three is expected to be aligned with timely land
access in comparison to previous delays that extended up to two years.
The Vive La Force Housing Scheme also includes spaces for commercial activities, recreational facilities, and essential services. Residents will benefit from access to treated
water, supplied by the new Wales Water Treatment Plant, which supports the long-term sustainability of the area.
Vive La Force is among 93 new housing developments established by the Ministry of Housing and Water since 2020. Region
Three alone accounts for 18 of these schemes, with approximately 13,947 of over 49,800 residential lots allocated nationwide. To date, $32 billion has been invested in providing critical infrastructure across these developments in Region Three.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal updating allottees at Viva La Force Housing Scheme, Region Three
Applicants seeking office jobs, but construction industry has numerous vacancies – Finance Minister
Many job seekers are seeking office employment while numerous jobs are available in the construction industry which, according to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, are better paying.
Dr Singh was speaking last Saturday at the Tain University Campus job fair, which specifically targeted the individuals who were graduating that day, after successfully completing courses in welding and fabrication, refrigeration and air conditioning, electrical installation, and motor vehicle servicing and repairs.
The job fair was also open to the public.
The Finance Minister warned that some employers might not just want a certificate but some work experience.
“Don’t wait necessarily for the perfect job; that it is going to come, and don’t believe that because you are waving the certificate you are guaranteed a job at your perfect employer. Your perfect employer may very well prefer for you to have the certificate plus a few years of experience,” Minister Singh told the potential job seekers during the graduation exercise.
The job fair showcased a wide range of fabrication
and repairs.
“You have the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, who are also looking for people with technical skills, because
partment assistants.”
She said currently there were about 20 vacancies at BACIF.
Rafeek and Sons
Construction Operations
they recruit people with a wide range of skills. The Ministry of Health is there. The Ministry of Education is there, they are also looking to recruit people with a particular set of skills,” the Finance Minister added.
Among the companies seeking to recruit a range of skills was Brass Aluminium and Cast Iron Foundry Ltd (BACIF) of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
Commercial and Design Superintendent Yolanda Geddes-Kendell says they are currently looking for
companies and construction companies, including those that specialise in largescale building construction, and are constantly looking for individuals with electrical installation skills.
The job fair also saw companies that carry out refrigeration and air-conditioning work. Some of the companies were seeking to recruit persons with mechanical skills and skills for motor vehicle servicing
welders, and other workers.
“We manufacture and fabricate various items –from fire hydrants, manhole covers and frames, and lots more that we do for both local and regional industries. We are currently hoping to have some more employees come in, more so in the field of welding, fitter machinists, and also we would like to have some general foundry de-
Manager Kevin Sukhu also spoke of available jobs within that firm.
“There are a lot of vacancies in construction in particular, because it is just a lot of buildings going up; a lot of things happening and there are just not enough workers. Right now, our company has enough work to support tradesmen, whether it be masons, carpenters, welders, drivers or heavy-duty machinery operators. We are even looking for a few white-collar positions, administrative and engineering,” he said.
Quality Deliver is a construction company located in New Amsterdam but does work across the country, from building construction to road building and document processing.
Company Office Manager Shamira Ramsuchit-David explained that their aim was not to hire persons but rather to see what jobs people were seeking, while noting that the firm did have vacancies for persons seeking employment in the construction industry.
“To understand the needs of people, basically. A lot of persons are here looking for jobs in the office – at least that is the feedback I got – which means that for me, for this fair, I think maybe the organisers can seek to expand, in terms of the people that they are targeting as exhibitors,” Ramsuchit-David suggested.
Most available jobs are in the construction industry
Potential job seekers filling out application forms at the job fair
Guyana calls for urgent reform of global systems to support int’l peace, security
… tells UN Security Council to tackle root causes of conflict
Foreign Affairs
Minister Hugh Todd, speaking on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “Poverty, Underdevelopment, and Conflict” emphasised the need for strengthened strategies to address the immense challenges facing international peace and security.
Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, is presiding over the high-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council on “Poverty, Underdevelopment, and Conflict: Implications for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security” on behalf of His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
In his address, Minister Todd underscored that international peace and security face significant challenges and emphasised that overcoming them requires a strengthened and evolving approach to conflict resolution.
“We meet today amidst immense challenges to international peace and security. This is manifested
in the unprecedented number of conflicts and growing tensions in many parts of the world, where peace is becoming increasingly fragile. As challenges to international peace and security evolve, so too must our approach to resolving and preventing conflict,” he stated. He added: “This requires us to delve deeper, including by addressing the root causes of conflict. For this reason, Guyana has chosen to focus today’s debate on poverty, underdevelopment, and its implications for international peace and security.”
Todd also stressed that peace and security cannot be divorced from development,
noting that poverty and underdevelopment are common features across many of the situations currently before the Security Council.
He highlighted the need for the Council to apply a development lens in executing its mandate—an approach, he noted, that has been acknowledged on several occasions.
As an example, he cited the January 1992 presidential statement issued at the first meeting of the Security Council held at the level of Heads of State and Government. In that statement, the Council affirmed that:
“Peace and prosperity are indivisible, and lasting
peace and stability will require effective international cooperation for the eradication of poverty and the promotion of a better life for all in larger freedom.”
Minister Todd stressed that this message remains especially relevant today, as global development challenges continue to deepen.
He further noted that the international community should be concerned that 83 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be met by 2030.
“This is borne out in UNDP’s recent Multidimensional Poverty Index, which highlighted that 1.1 billion people still live in multidimensional
poverty, with nearly half a billion residing in countries affected by violent conflict.”
“Moreover, the 2025 World Social Report warned that an escalation of ongoing conflicts—or the emergence of new ones—would lead to further setbacks in the global effort to eradicate poverty and address underdevelopment. The world stands at a critical juncture, where the interlinkages between peace, security, and development have never been more pronounced. This requires collective and decisive action.”
He also emphasised that while reform of international systems has long been a topic of discussion, greater
attention must now be given to reforming international financial institutions—not only as a development issue but also as a matter of global peace and security.
“We have been speaking for decades about the need for reform of the international financial institutions. We must also see this reform as important for peace and security. In fact, there is truth in the saying that being poor is expensive since developing countries expend more to access finance. The global financial architecture should be more responsive to the needs of developing countries as a whole, particularly countries transitioning out of conflict. This is critical for de-risking and resilience-building.”
He continued by underscoring a finding from the International Monetary Fund:
“Every $1 spent on conflict prevention in countries with recent violence could save up to $103 in costs. Sound macroeconomic policies and international support for these policies can play key roles in conflict prevention. This should be an element in the Council’s early recovery efforts.”
Tuschen Secondary nears completion – as Manickchand pushes for supportive school environment
With the Tuschen Secondary School just weeks away from completion, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has championed the cause of creating an environment in which students do not feel burdened to attend school.
The brand-new institution, located in Region Three, is nearing completion with a clear focus on providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere where students feel motivated and comfortable to learn.
This was the sentiment expressed by Minister Manickchand during a visit to the construction site on Wednesday.
Once completed, the $864.7 million facility will cater to more than 800 students from Tuschen and surrounding communities.
The modern, one-flat structure will feature 24 classrooms, science laboratories, a TVET centre, a canteen, a multi-purpose hall and cafeteria, a sanitary block, fire prevention systems, and an outdoor recreational area.
“The whole idea, the new thinking about school, is that it must not be burdensome – it must be a place children want to come to,” the Minister stated.
“When you come in here, it should feel like an oasis. And in that oasis, they also learn – so they can rise above whatever dire situations they may be coming from, whether it's poverty, absent parents, or households where education was not previously a priority. This is what we want for the children
of this country, and this Tuschen Secondary School represents that. The buildings will be handed over shortly, within the next couple of weeks.”
Manickchand also highlighted that construction work continues on the multi-purpose court, shade house, and other important facilities that will enhance student life.
“We're looking now at landscaping. There's going to be a multi-purpose court, a shade house, space for an agricultural plot –
it’s going to be a complete secondary school,” she noted.
“The kids who are coming here were previously housed in primary tops or crowded into other schools. When those schools release those students to us, we’ll now have more space, and we’ll be able to repair and renovate the older facilities as well.”
Several other schools in various regions are set to be completed by year end, including the Christ Church Secondary and St.
Roses High.
Christ Church Secondary
The Education Minister also visited the Christ Church Secondary School on Friday, where reconstruction efforts are progressing steadily following a devastating fire.
“You may recall we had this awful experience where it was lit afire and destroyed. But out of bad cometh good. And so now, we have a really beautiful, well-appointed, brand-new building for our List A students,” she said.
Teachers have already begun assisting with the move-in process.
“Teachers are helping us set up their corners and classrooms with great passion and excitement. We had an extremely good head teacher before, and now we have another excellent one. The students placed here are those who scored 94 and 95 per cent at the NGSA, so this has always been a very strong school,” Manickchand added.
She concluded with optimism about the future of the institution, stating
that the education ministry hopes that teachers and students will be able to make the best out of the opportunity they are being granted due to the upgraded facilities.
“We see that strength reflected in the CSEC and CXC results. We hope –and expect – to see even better outcomes now that students and teachers have been given these upgraded facilities. Of course, we’re going to keep our eyes on it. But I’m really, really glad we’re finally moving in. All of this is done with love – from us to you.”
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd at a high-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council on "Poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict: Implications for the maintenance of international peace and security"
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
A section of the Tuschen Secondary School
Guyana expands livestock production with new land, facilities, breeding success
The Guyana Government continues to support the expansion of the livestock industry across the country, making significant investments in a number of the initiatives over the years.
According to a statement
released by the Agriculture Ministry, these measures are designed to increase local production with the aim of reducing food imports.
Some 28,000 acres of land across four administrative regions (Regions 3, 5, 6 and 10), are being developed
for pastures.
With regard to the embryo transfer programme, the Ministry noted that to date, there have been 238 confirmed pregnancies with 56 calf births.
On the Barbados Black Belly Sheep project, the Ministry said 1,000 sheep were received (744 ewes and
Early work on 2026 budget underway as City Council responds to 2025 budget delays
In the wake of delays that affected the presentation of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) 2025 budget, the Council is now taking proactive steps to avoid a repeat of the situation.
Officials have indicated that systems are being put in place to streamline the budgeting process, with the goal of ensuring that the 2026 budget is prepared and submitted in a timely manner.
The early planning of the Georgetown M&CC’s 2026 budget was formally discussed during the Council’s June statutory meeting on Monday.
Officials noted that the delay in presenting the 2025 budget had caused several operational challenges, hampering the Council’s ability to carry out essential services.
In fact, during Monday’s statutory meeting, Town Clerk Candace Nelson emphasised the need for urgency in addressing the Council’s budgetary planning processes.
She proposed that con-
crete systems and timelines be established as soon as possible to ensure that the 2026 budget is prepared and submitted well ahead of schedule.
Nelson noted that early planning would not only help the Council avoid the setbacks experienced due to the late submission of the 2025 budget but also allow for improved coordination among departments, greater stakeholder input, and a more structured approach to municipal financial management.
“Sir, in order to properly plan for next year, can we set a date when we are actually going to start looking at the budget for 2026 so that we can start early and have the budget approved on time?”
The town clerk added, “I believe that it is important for us to at least make a decision that for 2026 we are going to have a budget approved early… What I will do is speak to the treasurer and let her start putting systems in place, and maybe we can discuss at the level of the finance committee when we would like to start discussions for the 2026 budget.”
Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, also threw his support behind the proposal for early budget planning, underscoring the importance of timely financial preparation in ensuring the smooth operation of the Council.
“What needs to be put in place in relation to this budget is maybe have specific people dealing with it from an early stage, and they have to recommend what needs to be put in place… But I personally would like it to be done earlier,” the mayor noted.
Mentore emphasised that the setbacks experienced due to the delayed 2025 budget should serve as a lesson and that proactive planning is critical to meeting the needs of the city and its residents in a timely and effective manner.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown M&CC hosted its 2025 budget presentation exercise on June 3.
Presenting the budget was Councillor Lelon Saul, who is also the council’s finance chairman.
Saul began his presentation by addressing the late submission of the 2025 budget, originally scheduled for agreement by November 2024 but delayed by several months due to administrative challenges.
Nevertheless, Saul revealed that the council’s 2025 budget is designed to allocate funds wisely and efficiently, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for Georgetown residents through prudent leadership, smart investments, and innovative solutions.
The strategic priorities include driving economic development by supporting local businesses, attracting new enterprises, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in infrastructure improvements, among others.
According to Saul, successfully executing these initiatives will demand a substantial financial commitment, with the council estimating a need for approximately $4.2 billion in funding.
However, the projected revenue for the 2025 fiscal year falls short of this requirement, standing at around $3.8 billion.
256 rams). “To date, 536 lambs were born. 116 were placed into our breeding programme while 158 farmers were beneficiaries,” the Ministry noted.
Additionally, it noted that imported bulls produced 245 calves in 2024.
Moreover, the Ministry has procured a modular duck processing facility which will allow for the slaughter of approximately 500-600 birds per day in keeping with international best practices. Five duck
hatchers and incubators were also procured.
On the Black Giants bird programme, the Ministry said 116,734 chickens were produced and distributed. Black Giants are sizable dual-purpose birds that can produce up to 200 eggs annually and roughly 4.5 kilogrammes of meat.
On the hatching eggs programme, the Ministry noted that for the first time ever, 144,886 broiler eggs were produced last year.
In other areas of livestock development, the Ministry said it has been promoting the establishment of tunnel ventilated pens among stakeholders. “The introduction of this system of intensive farming for broilers will reduce the incidence of endemic diseases, increase biosecurity and increase the production of meat and hatching eggs. So far 15 such pens have been established nationally,” the Ministry noted.
Education Minister announces shade houses for secondary schools nationwide
In a move to promote sustainability in agricultural education, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced that every secondary school across Guyana will soon be equipped with a shade house.
The announcement was made during the Ministry of Education’s annual TVET Fair & Exposition, hosted by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit, under the theme "Empowering Youths, Elevating Skills: TVET as a Catalyst for Inclusion."
“By the end of next term, every single secondary school will have a shade house capable of producing their own agricultural products. This is possible through a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Agriculture.” The Minister declared. Manickchand also praised schools that have al-
ready adopted the initiative, highlighting that several institutions are now producing and selling value-added products such as pepper sauce, jams, and thyme. These ventures, she noted, are already supporting the self-sustainability of school agriculture departments.
“Many of our schools, as you’ll see walking through this exposition, are already producing and adding value to their crops. They’re packaging, branding, and selling these items, which is an excellent model of self-sufficiency,” she added.
The education minister pointed to examples such as The Bishops’ High School and a school in Region Two, both of which have set up full production lines.
The Bishops’ High School, in particular, has launched a creative and well-branded line of products, demonstrating the success and scalability of the initiative.
She emphasised that the ministries’ collaboration is not only helping students gain practical skills but is also fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at the school level.
“We've seen that once a shade house is built and production begins, schools naturally progress into value-added manufacturing. This is exactly what we’re encouraging, and we’re excited to see it take root nationwide,” she said.
As of October 2024, about 70 of the 100 shade houses recorded as being constructed in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) for the cultivation of peppers have been completed.
The shade houses, constructed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) through the Ministry of Agriculture, each have a capacity to accommodate 400 plants.
Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore
SUDOKU
Listen, observe and be cautious about what you agree to do. Focus on taking care of your health, helping a meaningful cause and connecting with people striving for self-improvement.
Take a complimentary position when networking or negotiating. Showing interest will encourage others to share their secrets with you. A disciplined approach to work will attract attention.
Strive to get things done. Leaving things unfinished will eat away at you, causing stress and anxiety. Pamper yourself and get together with people who lift your spirits.
Refuse to let uncertainty trick you into being a follower. When in doubt, ask questions and see what resonates with your soul. When you spin your wheels and do nothing, you waste time.
Refuse to let your emotions interfere with your decisions. Don’t succumb to boredom; fulfill your life by following your intentions. Take the path that makes a difference.
An energetic approach to work, life and getting ahead will help you advance. Refuse to let the changes others make distract you or push you onto a path that leads nowhere.
Stop second-guessing. Keep an open mind, but refuse to be a part of something for the wrong reason. Trusting your instincts and having confidence in yourself and what you can offer will be essential.
Be aware of the rules before you engage in something new. Change begins with you. The choices you make can hinder or help you. Be discreet, observant and direct.
Time is on your side, and rushing will only lead to mistakes. Take the time to deal with your life and improve it before you take on outside issues that don’t concern you.
Get your facts straight before you start a conversation with someone prepared for battle. Don’t let anger set in when knowledge and experience are necessary. Avoid manipulation.
Concentrate on finishing what you start and avoiding people trying to distract you for their benefit. Learn when to say no, and you’ll gain respect and self-confidence. Pay attention to where your money goes.
Keep social activities and entertainment within budget. Too much of anything will lead to regret. Focus on personal gain and fine-tune your style to meet the criteria necessary to get ahead.
ARCHIE
Banks DIH joins supporting cast ExxonMobil U14 football…
Two days out from the tournament’s revised start date, Banks DIH, primarily under their I-CEE brand, are the newest supporting sponsors for the ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under-14 Schools’ football tournament.
The collaboration was set in stone on Thursday during a simple ceremony at the company’s Thirst
Park, Georgetown headquarters.
I-CEE Brand Manager Peyton McKenzie informed the small gathering of the company’s intentions to incorporate their other brands in the sponsorship.
“Banks DIH, once again, is very pleased to be in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Petra Organisation in the Under-14 Football
Boys’ and Girls’ competition. Banks believes that sport plays an integral role in the development of children, and children are the future.” McKenzie remarked.
The brand manager went on to add, “We are very pleased to be onboard, and we are using our locally manufactured products, I-CEE soft drinks. We will also encompass our wa -
Badminton quartet gearing up for Junior Pan Am Games
A4-member junior Guyanese badminton team will soon jet off to Asuncion, Paraguay, for what will be the country’s first outing in that sport at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.
Slated for August 9 to 23, 2025, Guyana will be represented by Frank Waddle, Mishka Beharry, Joanathan Debidin and Leshaunte Berkley in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles categories.
Experienced senior campaigner Akili Haynes will act as the team’s coach in the U23 competition in Paraguay.
President of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) Emilia Ramdhani recently spoke of the opportu-
nity for the young players and other similar outings in the pipeline that will push the sport forward.
“It shows that we have the scope for growing. Before, we had two spots, one male and one female; this year we had four spots, which shows that the sport is growing. The continental federation recognises this, and they’ve qualified us for the 4.” Ramdhani expressed.
She went on to share about other similar international competitions for the country’s badminton players: “After the Asuncion, Paraguay, games, we’re going to CAREBACO. We’ll be playing in the team tournament and the individual tournament in Barbados.
Meanwhile, Head of the Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Department, Nicholas Fraser, spoke on the importance of support for such events.
Fraser shared, “The Ministry of Education is obviously very thankful for their collaboration, and we’re even more delighted that an old friend of the Ministry, Banks DIH, has now joined the force, and they’ll be also supporting this very important football competition.”
to expect on Saturday morning.
So, the team will travel from Paraguay to Barbados, the same 4 with the exception of Frank because he’s older than the U19s. So, Ruel Rambirche will join them in CAREBACO.”
“Before then, in July, Priyanna (Ramdhani) is taking Mishka and Ruel to the Pan Am individual championships. This is a yearly tournament that’s held by Pan Am, our continental partner, and after the tournament, they will be encamped for about a week and a half, which we’re really looking forward to because it will help build them,” the GBA President later added.
The Junior Pan American Games were first held in 2021 in Cali, Colombia.
factured products from local manufacturer Banks DIH Limited.”
On Thursday, the Petra Organisation also took the opportunity to unveil some of the tournament’s fixtures, which Troy Peters gave a sneak peek of what
“On the opening match, we have Chase’s Academic Foundation; they will be competing against East Ruimveldt Secondary, and that will be a girls’ game. Then, we have Marian Academy vs Bushlot Secondary. In fact, we have three fields that will be used for this tournament; before that we’ll have a march pass of teams and officials,” Peters divulged. The 2025 ExxonMobil U14 tournament will see competition from 32 boys’ teams and 24 girls’ teams vying for a $400,000 grand prize in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
ENet recommits to Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast
ENet, Guyana’s only 5G network, has reaffirmed its commitment as a key partner for the third season of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, which is set to commence on June 28 in Berbice.
The telecommunications giant will enhance the fan experience by gifting three cellular phones to lucky spectators over the course of the tournament.
As is customary, ENet, a leading provider of digital cable television, internet, information technology, and media services, will provide extensive broadcast coverage, airing the zonal semi-finals, finals, and the highly anticipated national finals.
Nichola Parasram, Trade Mobile Co-ordinator at ENet, underscored the company’s dedication to grassroots sports.
“We are always happy to support and play our role in development and giving youths a platform to showcase their talent, and this is just another step in that process,” Parasram stated.
She expressed enthusiasm for the tournament’s growth and encouraged community support for the matches.
Yusuf Ali, Co-Director of the Kares One Guyana T10 Blast, extended gratitude to ENet, highlighting that their support extends beyond the direct giveaways.
He emphasised that ENet’s wide-reaching network enables the tournament to be viewed globally, significantly broadening its audience.
For more information about ENet’s products and services, visit www.enet.gy.
This year’s tournament has undergone a significant expansion and aims to feature up to 80 teams, marking a substantial growth in its third iteration.
The preliminary rounds will be held across four distinct zones: Berbice:
June 28-29; East Bank/ West Demerara: July 5-6; Georgetown/East Coast Demerara: July 19-20 and Essequibo: July 26-27
The competition will culminate in a grand finale on August 3 at the National Stadium, Providence, where the ultimate champions will be crowned.
The stakes are high, with lucrative prize money on offer for participating teams. Zonal winners will earn G$300,000 and secure a coveted spot in the national finals.
The ultimate national champion will walk away with an additional G$1.7 million, while the runners-up will receive a handsome G$700,000.
Even losing semi-finalists and zonal finalists are set to be rewarded, with purses of GY$300,000 and GY$100,000, respectively.
Registration for the tournament is currently open, with a fee of GY$30,000 per team. Organisers are confident of reaching their target of 80 teams, given the early surge of interest.
For registration and further information, interested teams can contact Akeem Greene via WhatsApp at +5926352235 or visit the “One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast” social
media pages.
Guyana’s Junior Pan Am Badminton team from left: Frank Waddell, Mishka Beharry, Leshaunte Berkley and Joanathan Debidin
I-CEE Brand Manager Peyton McKenzie presents the sponsorship to Petra Organisation’s Troy Peters in the presence of Education Ministry officials
Head of Allied Arts Nicholas Fraser
Co-Director of Kares One Guyana T10 Blast Yusuf Ali collects the cellphones from ENet’s Trade Co-ordinator Nichola Parasram
ter, Malta Supreme, biscuits, ice cream and Tastee snacks; all locally manu -
The defending champions, Rangpur Riders, have officially named their squad for the highly anticipated 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), set to take place at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence from 10 to 18 July. In 2024, the Rangpur Riders were without a
Rangpur Riders confirm squad for 2025 ExxonMobil GSL
point after their first three matches but found their form and eventually won their last three contests to emerge champions. With a combination of dynamic batting, disciplined bowling, and strong leadership, the Riders proved to be deserving champions of an action-packed competition.
The Rangpur Riders,
one of the leading franchises in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), bring a rich pedigree to the GSL. Having won the BPL championship in 2017, the Riders have consistently been a playoff contender over the last three seasons, showcasing their reputation for excellence and resilience.
The Riders are eager to
defend their GSL title and have retained key players to help their cause. The defending champions will once again be led by inspirational captain Nurul Hasan. The tournament’s leading run scorer in the inaugural season, Soumya Sarkar is back, as is Kamrul Islam Rabbi, who spearheaded the bowling attack.
To aid the local stars, the
Riders have included West Indian top-order batter Kyle Mayers, South Africa’s leftarm wrist spinner bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, Pakistani all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed and Afghanistan’s top-order batter Abrahim Zadran.
The squad reflects a good mixture of youth and experience with an eye on the conditions.
The full Rangpur Riders
squad reads: Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Naim Sheikh, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Abu Haider Rony, Rakibul Hasan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ibrahim Zadran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Harmeet Singh and Khawaja Nafay.
GFF appoints new General Secretary
technical assessments, and detailed background checks, a shortlist of six top candidates was established. Mr Chattopadhyay was selected based on his outstanding credentials and clear alignment with the GFF’s strategic direction.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Thursday announced the appointment of Mr Pushpargha Chattopadhyay as its new General Secretary, who will arrive on August 1, 2025, to commence his duties. Mr Chattopadhyay brings with him more than 15 years of experience in football administration, capacity building, and strategic leadership within some of the
most dynamic football environments in Asia. According to the Federation, this appointment is the outcome of a comprehensive international recruitment process jointly conducted by the GFF and FIFA. The position attracted applications from over 40 candidates representing five of the six FIFA confederations. Through a structured, multi-phase evaluation, including interviews,
As a distinguished football executive and senior sports consultant, Mr Chattopadhyay previously served in various leadership capacities at the All India Football Federation (AIFF), including as Head of State Development, Head of Clubs and Licensing, and Head of Administration within the Technical Department. During his tenure, he led the implementation of national development programmes under the FIFA Forward initiative, coordinated high-level licensing and regulatory activities, and played an instrumental role in grassroots development and capacity-building initiatives across 36 member associations in India.
Most recently, Mr Chattopadhyay held the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Football Association (West Bengal), where he spearheaded an organisational transformation and developed new intellectual properties to strengthen the Association’s financial and operational footing. He also served as a Senior Project Consultant in the Sports Advisory division of Ernst & Young LLP, leading key projects focused on sports development and institutional reform.
Speaking on the appointment, GFF President Wayne Forde said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr Chattopadhyay to the Guyana Football Federation. His vast experience working at both national and international levels, including with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA development programmes, makes him uniquely suited to lead the GFF Secretariat at this
important juncture. His appointment signals our commitment to strengthening governance, improving operational efficiency, and delivering enhanced services to our members and stakeholders.”
As General Secretary, Mr Chattopadhyay will be responsible for the day-today administration of the Federation, supporting the execution of the GFF’s strategic priorities, and ensuring alignment with international best practices and regulatory frameworks.
Mr Chattopadhyay stated, “It is an honour for me to be appointed as the General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) at such a pivotal time and phase in its growth and development. I would like to thank the GFF President, Mr Wayne Forde, along with the members of the GFF Council, for showing their faith in my leadership, experience, and management acumen and entrusting me
to take the helm of football administration at GFF. My vision aligns with the Federation’s commitment to progress by fostering collaboration, professionalism, and accountability and building sustainable systems that serve every level of the game. The possibilities of growth are many, and what lies ahead is hard work through unity to achieve our collective goals and take Guyana’s football to new heights.” Mr Chattopadhyay holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Vancouver Island University in Canada and a Master of Science (MSc) in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire. He speaks English, Hindi, and Bengali fluently.
The GFF Council has extended its best wishes to Mr Chattopadhyay as he assumes this important leadership role in Guyana’s football journey.
Newly-appointed GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay
ExxonMobil GSL defending champions Rangpur Riders have named their 2025 squad